Samsung has recently placed its consumer-grade Gear VR up for preorders and will fill retailers' shelves by Nov. 20. The VR head mount, which offers a 96-degree viewing angle to provide an immersive experience, is compatible with several of Samsung's recent phone releases, such the Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5.
However, Samsung's VR head mount is of no use without apps to run on it. Hence, for those that will be treating themselves to a Gear VR in the coming holidays or for those that have already preordered one, we've compiled a list of seven free apps that will that can showcase the immersion that VR provides.
Titans of Space
More than anything, Titans of Space is an educational app and will be a great way to have children tour the solar system, which is why it is listed first. With a modern phone that uses a NEON CPU extension, which the mentioned Samsung phones do, the whole tour will run smoothly at 50 to 60 fps with minimal head tracking latency. Moreover, as the developer suggests minimal background activity while running on Android 4.4.3 or later will be ideal. The Samsung aforementioned handsets will at least be on Android Lollipop 5.1 anyway.
Temple Run VR
Anyone who has ever laid hands on a modern mobile device most likely knows about Temple Run. In fact, some may have grown bored of it already. However, Temple Run VR gives players a new perspective when playing the endless runner game.
Since last year, the game has been available on Samsung Gear VR's Innovator edition. Instead of the conventional third-person view of Temple Run and Temple Run 2, players will have a first-person view while collecting coins, running through mazes and getting chased by an angry mob of monstrous animals. The game will take input from the touchpad located at the side of the head mount.
A phone with good audio output will help make the game a more immersive experience.
Milk VR
Samsung dubbed Milk VR as the YouTube of 360-degree videos, although the repository is not as massive given that Samsung just started on this project and the amount of time and resources needed to produce 360-degree videos. Users can download, stream and upload 360-degree videos into Milk VR's servers. Do note that most videos are roughly 10 minutes long.
As with most apps that can be run on Gear VR, the touchpad at the side can be used for navigation and browsing through content. However, there is a regional lock for the Milk VR service. Nonetheless, people have already found workarounds.
NYT VR
The NYT VR is an endeavor by The New York Times to revolutionize journalism and showcase an immersive way of storytelling. Just like Milk VR, users will be able to watch 360-degree video content. However, the content that will be uploaded will be based on the publication's cover stories.
Moreover, since the app was just released last week, only a couple of cover story videos have been uploaded. When the app was announced, it was accompanied by the release of "The Displaced," which gives a peek into the lives of Oleg, Hana and Chuol. The three children have settled in a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon after conflict displaced them from their homelands in Ukraine and South Sudan.
Netflix
This one needs no long explanation. There's nothing better than reliving moments from classic movies in a more immersive experience. The Lord of the Rings trilogy on VR? Thousands of stampeding horses tickling those ear drums? Sign me up please.
Anshar Wars
Anshar Wars is a game title that was recently launched for the Gear VR. Players will assume the role of a fighter pilot that will try to wipe out the approaching enemies to defend the capital ship. Needless to say, the more enemies explode, the higher will be the score.
Unlike the other mentioned apps, this one will require a lot of free space and will have the player moving. The motion tracking sensor that comes with the Gear VR will track the player's movement and will base the plane's flight path on the player's orientation.
However, some have commented that while the visuals are good, the audio can get stale after spending time on it. Nonetheless, OZWE games, the developer, can update it more and better audio tracks.
VRSE
VRSE wasn't designed around Samsung's Gear VR. Nonetheless, with some tinkering, it can work on the head mount. Just like the NYT VR and Milk VR, VRSE provides users cinematic 360-degree content in a fully immersive way. Users can also upload their own content. The New York Times, Vice News and more also upload their video content on VRSE.
